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have explained that already. And, no, he did not say who you had offered to her," Salisbury soothed. "Well, what could he say? He was married already. He could not say he was sorry for thatnot with the lady standing beside him. What happened was that your letter frightened Lady Alinor. She sought reassurance from the bishops that you would not put her marriage aside. When they said it was a Church matter in which youer" Salisbury hesitated. He was too wise to repeat the bishops' assurances that John could not interfere with the Church. "In which you would not wish to meddle," he went on, "she was greatly relieved and said she was grateful for it because she did not wish to disobey you but she could not have brought herself to accept Fulk or Henry." |
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"Lady Alinor was frightened, was she?" John said neutrally. |
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Salisbury glanced at him, but the king's face betrayed nothing. "She did not say it for any purpose," he assured John. "It was only a woman's thoughtlessness. In her fear she was heedless of what import her words might have." |
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"And what import did they have?" |
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After a longer look at his brother, Salisbury shrugged. "What did you expect? I will say the truth. I was disgusted myself. There are enough decent men who are bound to you by tie upon tie and would be faithful in the face of any temptation to reward with such a woman and such estates. Why in the name of God did you choose those two? Every man and woman there was outraged, and the vassals of both de Vipont and Lady Alinor clustered around them to swear again what they had just swornsupport to the uttermost. Whatever use Fulk and Henry are to you, John, this is no way to reward them. You will turn every nobleman away from you." |
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"What is it their affair?" John snarled. |
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"They have wives and daughters, too," Salisbury |
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